A new study found FMT safe and effective in treating children with C. difficile, with success rates of 87% and predictors including fresh stool, colonoscopy, and recent treatment. The procedure was associated with fewer complications compared to adults, paving the way for future research.
Research suggests that scratching the skin can lead to allergic reactions to foods, including anaphylaxis, in children with eczema. The study found that mechanical skin injury expands and activates intestinal mast cells, promoting anaphylactic reactions.
A new study suggests that adding hydrogen to respiratory gases could further protect babies' brains during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. The treatment, combined with hypothermia, reduced seizures, tissue injury and chemical markers of brain damage in animal models.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital demonstrate a robot that can autonomously navigate inside the body to reach a leaky heart valve. The robotic catheter uses AI and image processing to build a mental map of the cardiac anatomy, allowing it to find its way without surgeon guidance.
Researchers have identified two microRNA family members that can provide both immediate and long-term protection against heart damage. The therapy targets the miR-19a/b microRNAs, which regulate proliferation of cardiomyocytes and reduce inflammation, leading to improved heart function.
Researchers have shed light on how leukemia cells become resistant to drugs and describe a potential solution using two drugs in combination. The study identifies the genes responsible for resistance, revealing that cancer cells overcome the lack of asparagine by breaking down proteins.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital and MIT have developed nanobodies that can target the tumor micro-environment, allowing for more effective treatment of solid tumors. The nanobodies were tested in mouse models of melanoma and colon cancer, showing promising results in slowing tumor growth and improving survival rates.
A two-center study used EEGs to assess the impact of maternal stress on infant brain development, finding distinct patterns in brain activity at just 2 months old. Babies whose mothers reported higher levels of stress tended to have lower power in higher frequency bands and relatively higher power in lower-frequency bands.
A new strategy to treat sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia has been developed using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, with the goal of achieving durable therapeutic effects. The approach targets blood stem cells and enables efficient production of functional hemoglobin.
Researchers developed dual-complementary liposomes loaded with doxorubicin to target ICAM1 and EGFR receptors, achieving 40% reduction in tumor growth and no lung metastasis development. The treatment showed significantly improved survival without liver or kidney toxicity.
Researchers have pioneered a technique to analyze tiny amounts of newborn blood, providing the most detailed accounting to date. The study establishes a common developmental pathway for the first week of a newborn's life, offering insights into newborn health and the impact of vaccines.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have successfully completed a Phase I trial for the Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) procedure, which helps the ligament regrow itself. The study showed promising results with no graft or repair failures and similar recovery times between the BEAR group and traditional reconstruction.
A study published in Nature Medicine reveals that celastrol increases brain sensitivity to leptin, leading to reduced food intake and weight loss. The research identifies a pro-inflammatory signaling pathway involving the IL1R1 receptor as key to understanding celastrol's effects.
A global team predicts that by 2050, 49% of the world's population will live in areas where Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are established. Climate change and human migration patterns drive the spread of these disease-carrying insects.
A new study published in Cell suggests that targeting immune cells called natural killer cells may help clear out damaged axons and promote healthy regrowth, potentially decreasing chronic neuropathic pain. The findings could lead to a greater understanding of the mechanisms behind neuropathic pain and improve treatment options.
A long-term study of institutionalized children in Romanian found that those who experienced early deprivation and neglect had impaired memory and executive functioning by age 16. However, when placed early in quality foster homes, these difficulties diminished, suggesting a critical role of caregiving environments in child development.
A new study combines two forecasting methods with machine learning to estimate local flu activity, producing the most accurate estimates available, a week ahead of traditional healthcare reports. The approach, called ARGONet, outperforms earlier methods in more than 75% of states studied.
A recent study using CRISPR/Cas9 technology identified two factors necessary for Shiga and ricin toxins to enter cells: TMEM165 and TM9SF2. These proteins are found in the cell's Golgi apparatus and play a crucial role in glycosylation, a fundamental biological process that enables cells to create diverse molecules with varied function...
Research from Boston Children's Hospital finds that engaging families in hospital communication can significantly reduce harmful medical errors. The intervention, Patient and Family Centered I-PASS, improves patient experience while maintaining safety and efficiency.
Researchers have identified nine distinct groups of microglia, including some that appear only in embryonic or newborn stages, and others that are involved in myelination. These findings may help uncover new roles for microglia in disease and development, and could lead to the development of therapies targeting specific subpopulations.
Scientists developed a human tissue culture construct to test immune responses to vaccines, enabling rapid assessment of candidates and accelerating the development process. The platform replicates immune responses in different populations and age groups, allowing researchers to select human vaccine candidates before human trials.
A new study found that only about a third of mandatory pediatric post-marketing drug studies were completed within seven years, leading to a lack of child-specific information on medication labels. This perpetuates off-label prescribing that may be unsafe or ineffective for children.
A team of researchers at Boston Children's Hospital has identified NUAK2 as a critical player in the Hippo pathway, which drives YAP-driven tumors. Inactivating NUAK2 with a small molecule compound strongly curbs cancer cell proliferation and liver overgrowth.
A new epigenetic therapy targeting enzyme G9a boosts cancer stem cells that drive adenocarcinoma in mice, but also identifies a strategy reducing these cells. Researchers now explore demethylase inhibitors as potential therapeutic drugs to curb lung cancer progression.
Researchers discovered that BH4 regulates T cell activity, suppressing inflammation in autoimmune conditions and enhancing responses in cancer. A new therapeutic approach targets the same pathway to treat a range of diseases.
The 5-year project will investigate diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in former NFL players. Researchers will track up to 2,500 players with annual follow-up health assessments to examine associations between clinical outcomes and abnormal tau buildup.
A study by Boston Children's Hospital found that low-carb diets increase the number of calories burned, providing a new approach to treating obesity. The study, which controlled participants' diet for 20 weeks, showed significant differences in calorie expenditure between high- and low-carbohydrate diets.
Zebrafish models have been developed to study the intricate molecular pathways underlying mucosal melanomas. The research identified a previously unrecognized tumor suppressor, SPRED1, and its interplay with oncogene KIT. These findings hold promise for developing precision cancer therapies for this rare and aggressive form of melanoma.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have developed a new method to create customized mouse models for studying the brain. This technique involves using a natural toxin to kill off developing brain cells, allowing scientists to reconstitute the forebrain from genetically engineered stem cells. The resulting mice have tightly contr...
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a 'don't eat me' signal that prevents microglia from pruning useful connections. This 'yin/yang' system helps fine-tune brain circuits, ensuring normal brain development and potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that drug treatment at a young age can reverse social impairments in mice with tuberous sclerosis, but not at an older age. The study identifies a sensitive period for reversing social deficits, with treatment initiated in young adulthood showing promise in rescuing social behaviors.
A new study on children from the Bucharest Early Intervention Project found that those who remained in institutions experienced cognitive problems, depression, anxiety, and disruptive behavior. In contrast, children placed with high-quality foster families showed improved outcomes, particularly at ages 12 and 16.
Researchers have identified serum response factor (SRF) as a critical regulator of cardiomyocyte maturation. SRF plays a key role in organizing contractile structures and regulating gene expression, but its level affects cell maturity. The study provides new insights into heart muscle development and regeneration.
Scientists at Boston Children's Hospital have identified a potential new treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma by targeting the MYB gene in zebrafish. The study found that retinoic acid derivatives effectively shut off the MYB gene, slowing tumor growth and validating its efficacy in human cells.
Researchers have isolated a volume control in the brain for pain and identified a small group of neurons in the cortex that can amplify touch sensation. Silencing these neurons may help break a feedback loop that introduces and exaggerates the pain response to normally non-painful touch.
A rare genetic variant in an intron of the WRB gene, located on chromosome 21, has been identified as a potential contributor to common childhood strabismus. The study involved 1,200 US patients and found that patients with this variant were more likely to have inherited it from their father.
A new 'see-through' EEG device, developed by Boston Children's Hospital researchers, measures individual neurons with fine-grained precision. The transparent microelectrode array enables simultaneous neuroimaging and optogenetics experiments.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a small-molecule compound that can revive dormant nerve pathways in paralyzed mice with spinal cord injury. The compound, CLP290, activates the protein KCC2, allowing inhibitory neurons to receive signals from the brain and restoring motor function.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new way to enhance the immune system's tolerance for organ transplants. By increasing the activity of a regulatory protein called DEPTOR in immune cells, heart transplants were able to survive for an average of 35 days, compared to just 7 days without immunosuppressive drugs.
A recent study at Boston Children's Hospital found that parents of children with learning disabilities experience significantly more stress and anxiety related to academics, affecting their quality of life. The study reveals a dramatic difference in the impact on families compared to general education groups.
A new study shows that innate immune pathways in the intestine fine-tune body metabolism to diet and conditions in response to
A study found that higher local temperatures and population densities are associated with increased antibiotic resistance in common bacterial strains. The findings suggest climate change could be compounding an increase in antibiotic resistance, posing a significant threat to public health.
A clinical trial conducted by Boston Children's Hospital has shown that adding chemotherapy to a treatment regimen including catheterization and surgery can deter abnormal cellular growth in children with pulmonary vein stenosis. The approach led to the stabilization of PVS progression and prevention of further lung damage in 31% of pa...
A survey of patients with type 1 diabetes on a very-low-carbohydrate diet found exceptional blood-sugar control with few complications, including lower rates of hypoglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis. The researchers call for controlled clinical trials to test the diet's safety and efficacy.
Researchers developed algorithms to analyze EEG signals from infants at high risk for autism, accurately predicting ASD with over 95% accuracy by 9 months. Early detection may lead to better outcomes and prevention of behaviors associated with ASD.
A team of scientists, led by Nobel laureate Eric Betzig, have developed a new microscope that captures real-time, incredibly detailed images and 3D videos of biology. The microscope uses adaptive optics and lattice light-sheet to study cellular and sub-cellular life on whole living organisms.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital describe an innovative approach that boosts neutrophil strength and kills bacteria more effectively, while minimizing lung tissue damage. By inhibiting IP6K, a key enzyme, the immune system produces 'super' neutrophils that actively kill bacteria without causing excessive inflammation.
Researchers successfully treat KRAS-driven lung cancer by targeting insulin and IGF-1 signaling, identifying metabolic vulnerabilities. The study shows that completely blocking the pathway can slow tumor growth, but a second step is needed to fully suppress it.
Researchers have discovered that reduced ribosome quantity impairs GATA1 production in blood stem cells, leading to Diamond-Blackfan anemia. This finding supports gene therapy as a potential treatment approach.
Researchers discovered that retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORα) in skin Tregs regulates immune response. Removing RORα from Tregs led to an increase in inflammatory cells and worsened eczema symptoms. The study suggests boosting RORα or targeting related pathways may be effective treatments.